Woodrow Wilson Hall and Auditorium at Monmouth University. A case of meningitis has been reported on the West Long Branch campus.Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger

WEST LONG BRANCH — A case of meningococcal meningitis has been reported at Monmouth University, campus officials said today.

An employee in the campus controller's office is "gravely ill" and in the hospital, according to a letter sent to the university community by Paul Brown, president of the West Long Branch-based private school.

"The university has been in touch with officials from both the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission and the New Jersey State Department of Health," Brown wrote. "Those officials, who are also in contact with the Center for Disease Control, are assisting the university’s response to the situation."

Monmouth University officials did not name the infected employee.

Princeton University has also been dealing with a meningitis scare. The Ivy League school announced earlier this week it would distribute a vaccine imported from Europe to students to help combat the outbreak. A seventh case of a rare and deadly meningitis strain was reported on campus Nov. 8.

It is unclear which strain of meningitis the Monmouth University employee contracted, said Petra Ludwig, a campus spokeswoman.

Health officials recommended Monmouth University's classes and other activities continue as scheduled. Meningitis is usually spread through close personal contact, including kissing and sharing drinks or eating utensils.

"Because of the need for such close contact to spread the bacteria, those health officials believe that the group at risk on campus is extremely small," Brown said in his letter to the campus.